As both a reader, I’ve always been interested in stories that feature characters with disabilities. Now, as an author, disability representation has become a bit of a passion project for me in my writing.
That passion comes from being the mom to four great kids. Between four of them, two have autism, one has dyslexia and dysgraphia, another had epilepsy, and one has generalized anxiety. And we haven’t even touched on the adults. I’ve always struggled with anxiety and was diagnosed with ADHD a little over two years ago.
Living with and loving people with disabilities has given me a desire to share these struggles in the books I write. So I’ve written two romcoms that feature main characters with disabilities.
Ali in The Fast Lane has epilepsy. In The Fix Up, single mom Ellie was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.
As I’m always looking for romance recs featuring characters with disabilities, I thought I’d make a list. Is this an exhaustive list? No. Have I read every book on this list? Also, no. I’ve read many but I’ll included books that I’d like to read, too. Let’s face it, this list is selfishly for me but I figure if I want it, someone else out there might, too.
Books will be grouped by disability. I’ll list each book by title and author and link it to Amazon for quick clicking. I’ll note if it has closed or opened door content. If I’m not sure, I’ll note that as well. Finally, this list will be updated periodically. It will start out small and hopefully grow over time.
If you know of a book I should add to the list, please comment with the title, author, and the disability represented.
ADHD
Cream and Punishment by Brianne Ritchie Cordova (Closed Door)
The Fix Up by Sharon M. Peterson (Closed Door)
Written in the Cards by Dana Storino (Closed Door)
Don’t Go Faking My Heart by Kate Watson (Closed Door)
Dizzy in Love by Brittany Larsen (Closed Door)
AGORAPHOBIA
The Serendipity by Emma St. Clair (Closed Door)
ARFID
Falling in Love with a Tiny Bat by Camilla Evergreen (Closed Door)
AUTISM
How to Find Love When You’re Weird by Camilla Evergreen (Closed Door)
Betrothal or Breakaway by Leah Brunner (Closed Door)
Falling for Your Best Friend by Emma St. Clair (Closed Door)
The Designated Twin by Drew Taylor (Closed Door)
CEREBRAL PALSY
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer (Closed Door)
DEAFNESS
Sign Me Up by Dulcie Dameron (Closed Door)
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino (Closed Door)
Hunting Sirens by Mary Mecham (Closed Door)
DIABETES
Bran Baxter Marries the Wrong Sister by Latisha Sexton (Closed Door)
Two Tickets by A.J. Manney (Closed Door)
The Neighbor War by Katie Bailey (Closed Door)
This Means War by Heather Miekstyn (Closed Door)
Single All the Way by Kate Watson (Closed Door)
DISFIGUREMENT
Perfect by Kimberly Keagan (Closed Door)
The Warrior Prince by Ashton E. Dorow (Closed Door)
DYSLEXIA
Desiring His Dating Coach by Kristin Canary (Closed Door)
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center (Closed Door)
Can’t Help Falling by Courtney Walsh (Closed Door)
It’s Always Us by Stacy Williams (Closed Door)
(Not So) Famous in Paradise by Brittany Larsen (Closed Door)
EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME (EDS)
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Open Door)
EPILEPSY
The Fast Lane by Sharon M. Peterson (Closed Door)
The Match by Sarah Adams (Closed Door)
A Not-So Holiday Paradise by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (Closed Door)
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
Poisoned by Mary Mecham (Closed Door)
LIMB DIFFERENCE
Out on a Limb my Hannah Bonam-Young (Open Door)
Just a Chance by Jenessa Fayeth (Closed Door)
Being Hook by Mary Mecham (Closed Door)
Kiss Me If You Can by Dana LeCheminant (Closed Door)
OCD
Wild About Emmy by Sara Blackard (Closed Door)
Switch and Score by Dulcie Dameron (Closed Door)
PARALYSIS
Engaging Mr. Darcy by Rachel John (Closed Door)
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
A Curse of Gold and Beauty by Mary Mecham (Closed Door)
SPEECH IMPEDIMENT
How to Destroy Your Lifelong Bully by Camilla Evergreen (Closed Door)
A Haunting at Havenwood by Sally Britton (Closed Door)
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
At First Sight by Melissa Whitney (Open Door)
Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil (Closed Door)
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center (Closed Door)
Scarlett and the Dark Woods by Mary Mecham (Closed Door)
Snapdragon by Sarah Beran (Closed Door)
In Front of Me by Dana LeCheminant (Closed Door)
A Pumpkin and a Patch by Jennifer Peel (Closed Door)
One again, please add your suggestions in the comments and I’ll add them to the list. I’ll need title, author, the disability represented, and whether it’s open or closed door.
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